Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra have jointly announced an agreement to enhance cooperation between the two countries in combating online scams. Both leaders declared that no groups would be allowed to use their territories for such activities, or other illegal operations. The commitment was made during an April 23 press conference, during Paetongtarn’s two-day visit to Cambodia from April 23 to 24. They also announced measures to address cross-border environmental pollution, strengthen military cooperation along the border, conduct border demining, improve land transportation links and reduce logistics costs. Both sides discussed facilitating cross-border movement…
Author: Niem Chheng
The spectre of landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERWs) continue to threaten the lives of Cambodian citizens, with the latest casualty occurring today, April 23 in Oddar Meanchey province. Early this morning, an exploding mine severely injured a tractor driver and completely destroyed his vehicle. The victim was identified as Hem Kao, a 24-year-old man who resides in Thlat commune’s Svay Chek village, in Anlong Veng district. He was rushed to the Oddar Meanchey provincial referral hospital for treatment. The incident occurred while he was ploughing a field in O’Chik village, Ph’av commune, Trapaing Prasat district, according to demining…
Since the beginning of the year, Chinese authorities have repatriated a total of 98 Cambodian victims of human trafficking – 97 of them women and girls – in 42 cases. According to an April 22 statement from the General Department of Immigration (GDI), 59 of the victims have returned to their homes in the Kingdom, while 37 are being taken care of by the Department of Victim Protection and Juvenile Protection, under the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation. Two victims were transferred to the Department of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation in Svay Rieng province. The…
Senate president Hun Sen remarked that he observed elderly Cambodians joyfully dancing and celebrating during the recent Khmer New Year, showing little concern over recent US tariff hikes, “except for uninformed analysts”. Speaking at the April 22 opening of the third Session of the Senate, he praised the organisation of the Khmer New Year festivities and the maintenance of public order, which allowed citizens to enjoy themselves. He also highlighted Cambodia’s progress, such as infrastructure development. “The most striking thing is that the elderly were dancing together, enjoying themselves and celebrating successes. It seems no one was worried about taxes…
Restoration and reassembly work on one of the largest Khmer bronze statues ever discovered has been completed. 39 fragments of a statue of Vishnu or Lord Narayana, known in Khmer as Preah Noreay are now being prepared for display at the Guimet National Museum in Paris, France. The 11th century piece will be on display in France from April 30 until the end of September. It was originally removed from the Western Mebon Temple, located in the centre of the Baray Teuk Thla reservoir in Siem Reap province. It was discovered by French researchers in 1936 and eventually stored at…
Prime Minister Hun Manet has strongly refuted claims by overseas analysts who interpreted a joint statement released last week as indicating that Cambodia has allowed China to fully control the country. He described such claims as a “betrayal of the truth”. He noted that the unnamed analysts drew a false conclusion from the joint statement issued by Cambodia and China regarding last week’s official visit to Cambodia by Chinese President Xi Jinping, and falsely accused Cambodia of surrendering the country to Chinese control. Manet dismissed the allegations as he addressed the April 21 inauguration ceremony of the Kampot International Tourism…
Before the sun peeks over the horizon in Siem Reap province’s Rumchek commune, in Banteay Srei district, Chhat Chhoeum is already high atop one of the palm trees that dot the land. It’s not yet 5am, and the farmer is on a mission, one he’s pursued for two decades: to harvest the sweet, golden juice that becomes pure, natural palm sugar. With several containers slung from his belt, Chhoeum – who is in his early 50s – climbs around 30 trees each morning, his hands and feet moving with the rhythm of experience. By 3pm, he’s back for a second…
Two Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) vessels, the “Bungo” and “Etazima”, docked at Ream Naval Base today. They are the first foreign ships to call at the upgraded pier since it was modernised, with Chinese aid. The Bungo and Etazima were dispatched to a mission to visit 11 countries, ranging from Africa, the Middle East to South and Southeast Asia, in January 2025. “Now their port call has been made at Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base, which we, as the Embassy of Japan, consider a historically significant event for Japan-Cambodia relations,” said Miyoshi Asagi, Counsellor at the embassy of Japan. …
The FunanTecho Canal Project has made significant progress, dispelling doubts about China’s potential withdrawal, as agreements and contracts were signed with a Chinese company during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Cambodia on April 17-18. Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol, first vice-president of the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), stated that during Xi’s visit, five agreements and contracts related to the “Funan Techo Integrated Water Resources Management Project” were signed. These documents included a public-private partnership (PPP) contract, signed by Chanthol on behalf of the Cambodian government and Ieng Sunly, representative of Funan Techo Coastal-Inland Waterway Co.,…
During his April 17-18 state visit to Cambodia, Chinese President Xi Jinping praised the Kingdom’s efforts to crack down on illegal online gambling and scam operations. Xi also committed to strengthening coordination and law enforcement cooperation to combat cross-border crimes, including illegal cross-border gambling, drug smuggling, human trafficking and scams, according to a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. The Cambodian government has repeatedly vowed to suppress online crimes, such as illegal gambling, scams and human trafficking, with Prime Minister Hun Manet personally leading a committee established to address these issues. Regarding defence and security…